To weave or not to weave

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I've recently purchased a used miller Big 30, and been doing a lot more 'field work'. I havent done much stick welding for about 15 years,having a pretty nice shop with several mig welders I havent had the need to.Anyway, I'm trying to brush up on my stick skills which leads me to my question. What is the 'best' technique for rods like 6010, 6011, 7018& 7024. I know with the 70 rods you can do a pretty big weave, but what about the others? how much weave and how much arc length should you have? I know some rods you can 'drag' , but cant remember which ones. Also,what is the main cause of cold lap at the toe of a weld? One more thing, has anyone ever used a clamp meter to check actual amperage of the welder? Mine has the big 'lever' for coarse adjustment and a knob for fine,still trying to get a handle on figureing what my exact amperage is, kinda guessing at this point. THANK YOU for any guidance you can provide!
Reply:You really want to avoid weaves, stringers are much stronger.6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:Originally Posted by ExpatWelderYou really want to avoid weaves, stringers are much stronger.
Reply:All the reference and training books I have [from the 1930's thru 90's] state that you can weave up to 21/2 - 3 times the electrode [core rod] diameter as a safe practice to avoid slag inclusions, also use 10% higher amps that you would normally use for stringer beads.[E6010's-7018's]  When I worked production-machine base fab w/ E7024's I use to regularly make positioned welds weaved 1 1/2" wide with 3/16" rods @ 285 amps AC!Century AC/DC 250 Amp & Midstates 300 Amp Industrial AC stick welders, Century Flux core 80 amp. wire feed welder  Harris Oxy-Acet. cutting & welding outfit:SEE MY INFORMATIVE VIDEOS AT http://www.youtube.com/user/alpho52
Reply:In regards to the pressure welding i do such as heavy wall stainless, carbon steel, chromoly, and inconel, other than my root i weave every single pass to avoid slag inclusions as stated above, you get a much flatter surface to lay your next pass on when you weave, you avoid any hills/valleys for slag to find because they do! especially with stainless stick on heavy wall pipe as most of you know stainless flux is extremely runny and will try and find every crevas to fill and its a pain to grind/file out before your next pass. Their is nothing wrong with weaves! sure CWB may not allow it on their plate tests but their honestly a bunch of guys on a power trip that think their superior to all other welding practices.... im glad my in house pressure tickets supercede all structrual licienced welding we require. Put it this way on certain pipes ive done in the plant with "weaves" are required to hold over 3000psi of super heated steam, let that be a testiment for ya!
Reply:Originally Posted by Pressure_WelderIn regards to the pressure welding i do such as heavy wall stainless, carbon steel, chromoly, and inconel, other than my root i weave every single pass to avoid slag inclusions as stated above, you get a much flatter surface to lay your next pass on when you weave, you avoid any hills/valleys for slag to find because they do! especially with stainless stick on heavy wall pipe as most of you know stainless flux is extremely runny and will try and find every crevas to fill and its a pain to grind/file out before your next pass. Their is nothing wrong with weaves! sure CWB may not allow it on their plate tests but their honestly a bunch of guys on a power trip that think their superior to all other welding practices.... im glad my in house pressure tickets supercede all structrual licienced welding we require. Put it this way on certain pipes ive done in the plant with "weaves" are required to hold over 3000psi of super heated steam, let that be a testiment for ya!
Reply:Originally Posted by Boilermaker374Just because you do it, doesn't make it right.
Reply:Originally Posted by Pressure_WelderTheir must obviously not be issues if during critical piping such as main steamlines are being done, i have inspectors over my shoulder ready to dye pen and or mag partical test every pass as thats our procedure for exposed steam lines ( lines not in the boiler ) but will be exopsed to general public/staff. Dont get me wrong i dont start weaving 2 or 3 inches but ive had a vast array of long time welder/ boiler inspectors over my shoulder overseeing major joints/repairs and they've been happy with everything.
Reply:I was taught to weave my cap, where permissible. IE 5G. When I have welded heavy wall pipe, I was instructed to run stringers for fill, weave the cap.Outside of pipe, I run weaves. 6010, 7018. build the shelf and start stacking!!Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120